CamuS: computer aided ultrasonic non destructive testing

Record Control Number : 19307

Quality Validation Date : 01-Oct-1997

Update Date : 01-Oct-1997

Abstract : The CamuS system concept is of a small, portable, intelligent instrument which will provide assistance to ultrasonic technicians in carrying out manual ultrasonic examination, particularly of welded joints. The following set of hardware and software modules has been developed forming the building blocks of the CamuS system:
a mechanically linked probe position monitor which offers greater flexibility than existing types (measurement of three spatial co-ordinates and the skew angle of the probe is provided, along with flexible mounting arrangements to allow the device to be applied on components of a wide range of dimensions);
a personal computer (PC) based data acquisition unit with built-in ultrasonic pulser-receiver and dedicated software application (the application screen provides a continuous display of the ultrasonic A-scan and the coupling status is monitored and combined with prove position information to produce a display showing the surface coverage actually achieved);
a software module which calculates the scan parameters required to carry out an ultrasonic inspection of a component according to requirements;
a software module which enables the ultrasonic data and test-piece model to be superimposed and visualized in three-dimensions, allowing the user to identify the source of the ultrasonic signal (an internal representation of the data in a three-dimensional space can be presented on the screen);
a software module which can classify ultrasonic signals obtained from planar, carbon steel, testpieces to provide the user with probabilistic estimates of the type of defect present (the module includes basic utilities to represent and analyse ultrasonic data and advanced algorithms to perform automatic discrimination of defects).

A set of welded test blocks representing a range of different components has been manufactured. Potential applications for the CamuS system exist within all industrial sectors in which manual ultrasonic inspection is employed, including light and heavy engineering.

Innovative Aspects : The benefits of using the system include:
reduced risk of component failure;
reduced incidence of unnecessary weld repairs;
reduction in the time associated with preparation and review of procedures, plotting and characterization of defects, and reporting of results;
reduced health and safety risk associated with substitution of radiography by ultrasonics.

Compared to conventional manual ultrasonic examination, the CamuS system offers a number of significant advantages, including:
monitoring and documentation of ultrasonic coupling efficiency;
monitoring and documentation of area coverage;
3-dimensional visualization making test results more understandable for non-specialists;
visualization facilities to help with discrimination between geometric and defect related reflectors.

Subject Descriptors : Inspection, testing; Software engineering; Welding; Signal processing

Subject Index Codes : Measurement Methods; Information Processing, Information Systems; Industrial Manufacture

Market Applications : Petrochemical technology; Construction industry; Metal products (ferrous, nonferrous); Offshore technology; Ship, boat building

Collaboration Sought : Licence agreement; Marketing agreement

Collaboration Detail : In the medium term, opportunities to sell systems to third-party suppliers of inspection services will be sought. Further opportunities may well arise in the form of licensing of other suppliers of automated and semi-automated inspection systems to use CamuS software modules.

Sources of Support : CEC